Cycle syncing your skincare

How to support your skin naturally through every phase of your cycle

For years, I followed the same skincare routine every single day—cleanser, moisturizer, maybe a serum or two—without questioning whether my skin needed something different. Some days, it was glowing and hydrated; other days, it felt irritated, dull, or breaking out for no apparent reason. I couldn’t understand why it kept changing. After all, the only thing we were ever taught was whether our skin was oily, dry, or combination—without much nuance beyond that. It wasn’t until I started cycle syncing (holistically) my skincare that everything changed!

Just like our mood, energy, physical and emotional resilience, and even nutritional needs fluctuate throughout our cycle, so does our skin. These changes are not random—our hormones fluctuate during each phase, affecting oil production, collagen levels, hydration, and even skin sensitivity. The products and treatments that work for you during ovulation might be the very things that make your skin react badly during your period.

So, instead of working against these natural changes, why not embrace them? By adjusting your skincare routine to match your hormonal cycle, you can give your skin exactly what it needs, when it needs it—all using holistic, natural ingredients. Let’s see how your menstrual cycle impacts your skin and how you can create an intentional, phase-based skincare routine for healthier, more radiant looking skin.

Your Cycle & Your Skin: What’s Happening?

Your skin is incredibly hormone-sensitive, meaning it responds directly to the rise and fall of estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone throughout your menstrual cycle. These hormonal shifts affect how much oil your skin produces, how hydrated it is, how quickly it repairs itself, and even how prone you are to breakouts or sensitivity.

Here’s a quick breakdown of how each phase impacts your skin:

🔹 Follicular Phase (Days 6–14) → Skin is fresh, hydrated & glowing as estrogen begins to rise.
🔹 Ovulatory Phase (Days 14–16) → Best skin days! Radiance is at its peak thanks to high estrogen.

By understanding these natural patterns, we can adjust our skincare accordingly, using natural remedies and holistic practices to support our skin instead of fighting it.

Follicular Phase (Days 6–14): Hydrate & Renew

🌿 What’s Happening:
After your period ends, estrogen levels start to rise, which helps to boost collagen production, enhance hydration, and support skin renewal. This is when your skin naturally looks fresher, brighter, and more balanced. Since sebum (oil) production is still relatively low, your skin will likely feel smooth, soft, and well-hydrated.

✨ Holistic Skincare Rituals:
✅ Hydrate deeply with aloe vera gel or rose water mist to maintain moisture.
✅ Gently exfoliate using a natural enzyme mask (papaya or pineapple) to remove dead skin cells without irritating your skin.
✅ Nourish with lightweight oils like jojoba or squalane, which mimic the skin’s natural sebum without clogging pores.

This is also a great time to introduce skin-boosting nutrients like vitamin C serums, as your skin is more receptive to brightening ingredients.

Ovulatory Phase (Days 14–16): Maximize Glow

🌿 What’s Happening:
During ovulation, estrogen peaks, leading to your best skin days. Natural oils are balanced, circulation is at its best, and collagen production is high, making your skin appear plump, dewy, and radiant. This is the time when your skin will look its absolute best—think of it as your natural glow-up phase.

✨ Holistic Skincare Rituals:
✅ Facial massage or dry brushing to stimulate lymphatic drainage and circulation, enhancing your natural glow.
✅ Apply a honey mask to hydrate, soothe, and nourish your skin while benefiting from honey’s antibacterial properties.
✅ Use cooling botanicals like cucumber slices or aloe vera gel to reduce any minor puffiness and keep skin refreshed.

Since your skin is at its healthiest, you won’t need heavy products—this is the time to let your skin breathe and shine naturally. And if you want to try out something new, like a homemade raspberry facial mask, this is the time to go for it!

Luteal Phase (Days 17–28): Calm & Balance

🌿 What’s Happening:
As progesterone rises, oil production increases, which can lead to clogged pores, breakouts, and inflammation. Skin may feel more sensitive, and you might notice hormonal acne forming along the jawline or chin area. This is the phase where most women struggle the most with their skin.

✨ Holistic Skincare Rituals:
✅ Use a raw honey mask to deeply hydrate and support the skin’s microbiome.
✅ Cleanse with oil-based cleansers like coconut or sweet almond oil to protect your skin barrier.

This is the phase where less is more—focus on hydration, nourishment, and repair.

Your Skin Is Always Changing—And That’s a Good Thing

Your skin isn’t the same every day, and that’s something to celebrate! Instead of following a one-size-fits-all routine, listen to your body and give your skin the natural support it needs during each phase.

And if you’re ready to stop fighting against your body and start working with it, my Cycle Living Course is for you. Learn how to align your skincare, nutrition, movement, and daily habits with your cycle for better energy, balanced hormones, and glowing skin—naturally. Understanding your body is the ultimate biohack, and once you tap into this wisdom, everything changes. Join now before enrollment closes! 

✨ Which phase are you in right now? Have you noticed changes in your skin throughout your cycle?